Construction

		NRC Institute for Research in Construction
		Building Envelope and Structure
		Fire Research
		Indoor Environment
		Urban Infrastructure
		Construction Codes
		Construction Products Evaluation

Construction is Canada's largest industry. It employs more than 1 million Canadians who build the nation's physical infrastructure. These men and women provide the shelter, transportation, water and waste handling facilities that keep this country running.

The construction industry is composed primarily of small companies – SMEs – a fact that presents special challenges for innovation in this highly competitive sector. Targeted research and development, effective technology diffusion and an objective-based regulatory framework are among the key strategic actions needed to stimulate innovation, lower transaction costs, boost productivity and profitability and reduce trade barriers to global markets.

The NRC Institute for Research in Construction (NRC-IRC) works closely with the Canadian construction industry to spur innovation. NRC-IRC develops and maintains the core competencies and knowledge base critical to the innovation, productivity, health, safety and sustainability needs of the industry. It also supports the development, commercialization and implementation of leading-edge technologies, and fosters the provision of safe and healthy built environments through the development of codes and standards.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bitumen

Bitumen is an important component in construction materials used for road surfacing and roofing, including polymer-modified asphalt, crack sealants, shingles and waterproof membranes. To be used, bitumen needs to be blended with a polymer, which can be a tricky process. NRC researchers have come up with a way to "fingerprint" bitumen to ensure bitumen products are consistent, helping manufacturers stick with a mixture they know works.

A New Era in National Construction Codes

Construction codes – they may sound technical and uninteresting, but they are the basis for making our buildings safe and protecting them from fire. In 2005, NRC launched the 12^th edition of the National Construction Codes, using an "objective-based" format that makes the code provisions easier to understand and to apply more consistently. Provinces and territories will use the codes to establish their own building and fire regulations.

The codes – the National Building Code 2005, the National Fire Code 2005 and the National Plumbing Code 2005 – are also easier to apply to existing buildings and more accommodating to innovation. The new information they contain will help designers and regulators set minimum performance standards, which will facilitate the evaluation of new products and construction techniques. 

The publication of the 2005 National Construction Codes is the result of a 10-year process to meet the demand for improved clarity and flexibility. In all, close to 1,300 technical changes address the many technological advances and health and safety concerns that have arisen over the past decade.